SPORTS

Holiday gifts for anglers

Posted 12/20/22

Here are some last minute suggestions on holiday gifts for anglers. From stocking stuffers to rods and reels bait & tackle shop owners have suggestions. Most local tackle shops are open right up …

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SPORTS

Holiday gifts for anglers

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Here are some last minute suggestions on holiday gifts for anglers. From stocking stuffers to rods and reels bait & tackle shop owners have suggestions. Most local tackle shops are open right up to and including Christmas Eve day and have qualified staff to help you make a selection that fits your budget.  They are in business to make anglers successful, so I have always found them to be very helpful. 

Fishing lures and rigs from $5 to $30 are great gifts and stocking stuffers. Bait rigs and jigs used to catch bottom fish like summer flounder, black sea bass and tautog that anglers love to catch and eat make great gifts. Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown said, “We have some new fluke rigs from H & H (they make flounder pounder rigs) and Buddy Rigs.”

“We sold a lot of rubber shads, poppers and lures as stocking stuffers,” said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside. Jonathan Woodman of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly, said, “Fishing lures to catch striped bass, bluefish, false albacore and more both from shore or boats make great gifts. SP Minnow, Super Stride lures and soft plastic lures from Joebaggs range from about $20 to $30.”

Waterproof charts about $60. I use these to plan my fishing trips the day before fishing to find structure for tautog fishing or to select spots for fluke fishing. The charts I have include Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island and Block Island Sound in a handy large spiral bound book with soft plastic case. These waterproof charts are great on the boat and cover fishing areas in complete detail, and pinpoint dozens of fishing areas and the fish caught in each area. Choose areas from Maine to the Bahamas, and points inland too. Available at West Marine stores or online at www.westmarine.com.

Membership in the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), $50. Purchase a gift membership for a family member or friend. The association is created by and for recreational saltwater anglers and the monthly seminars, magazine and education programs on fishing techniques and tactics are outstanding. Visit www.risaa.org .

General fishing or learn how to fish charters, $350 to $800 (depending on number of people, species targeted, boat size, duration of trip, etc.). Hire a charter to help teach adults or children how to fish or to take experienced anglers fishing. Visit www.rifishing.com, the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association website for a list of boats and captains. Can also find party boat trips there for under $100 to $135 per person.

StickTite Lenses, from $19.99, even if they arrive after the holidays. This item is from Todd Corayer’s “Holiday Gift Guide for Anglers” in the RI Saltwater Anglers December magazine issue. If your angler fishes with sunglasses but also needs cheaters, StickTite lenses are a game changer. Available in magnifications from 1.25 to 3.0, they arrive smartly packaged and are easily applied. Find that sweet spot on the bottom of your favorite glasses, apply, wait a few minutes then ditch those cheaters. If you have a collection of fancy shades for all occasions, change your outlook in minutes and even swap lenses between glasses. Starting at $19.99 www.sticktitelens.com.


Striped bass on the chopping block again

Massachusetts and Rhode Island have held webinar hearings to discuss commercial quota transfers for striped bass between coastal states as outlined in Addendum 1. The aim of the Addendum to the striped bass management plan is to maximize the commercial harvest of striped bass by allowing states to transfer unused commercial quota to other states that currently maximize their allotment. This proposal is largely supported by striped bass commercial fishers

In an announcement from the American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA), Tony Friedrich, Vice President, said, “Anglers need to attend this hearing on Monday and voice their concern over commercial transfers. According to the 2022 Striped Bass Stock Assessment Update, the stock remains overfished. Therefore, efforts to intentionally increase striped bass removals are antithetical towards rebuilding goals and objectives.”

“Commercial quota transfers have long been rejected by the Striped Bass Management Board. They were once rejected in the past due to the stock being overfished,” said Friedrich. “Historically, the commercial quota has gone underutilized. Increasing commercial landings, at such a pivotal time for the stock as today, will go against assumptions made by managers and disrupt projections on the stock and rebuilding success.”

The ASGA said in an advisory, “Bottom line—the striped bass stock is still overfished and rebuilding success hinges on maintaining low fishing mortality rates while poor recruitment persists, purposefully increasing commercial landings is not rationale and the Board should oppose this action.”

You can still comment online until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2023 and should be sent to comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass Draft Addendum I).


Where’s the bite

Freshwater. Anglers are reminded to renew their licenses for salt and fresh water for 2023. For licensing information and a list of trout stocked ponds in Rhode Island visit www.dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/fish-wildlife/freshwater-fishing/freshwater-fishing-faqs;; and in Massachusetts visit www.mass.gov/freshwater-fishing-information .

Striped bass fishing has slowed a great deal. “We still have plenty of peanut bunker around with bait being pushed up on the shore but anglers have not been hooking up at all with no great reports from shore anglers or those fishing salt ponds,” said Jonathan Woodman of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly.

Cod, tautog and black sea bass are general being target together on party boats. Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown said, “The Island Current got out a couple of times last week and came back late afternoon.  The bite seemed to come later in the day for them.”  Party boats fishing for cod this winter include the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com , the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com, and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com . Rates vary but are about $135 per adult for a full day of fishing, call to check schedules and make a reservation.


Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.

Fluke, fishing

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